Vegas Crime Files Episode Summary

In this episode of Vegas Crime Files, Heidi Harris talks with gaming journalist Rick Velotta about Nevada’s infamous “Black Book” — the state’s official List of Excluded Persons banned from casinos.

The conversation traces the Black Book’s origins back to 1960, when Nevada created it to keep organized crime figures out of casinos during the mob era. Over time, the list evolved from targeting mobsters to focusing on major casino cheats, illegal gambling operators, and other serious offenders connected to the gaming industry.

Rick explains how modern casino cheating schemes have become increasingly sophisticated, from slot-machine manipulation devices to complex illegal betting operations. The discussion also explores how Nevada’s approach differs from other states like New Jersey, which maintains a much larger exclusion list.

The episode dives into the controversy surrounding due process and lifetime exclusion. Once someone is placed in Nevada’s Black Book, they are banned from entering casinos indefinitely — even restaurants or entertainment venues inside casinos. Critics argue the process can be overly punitive, while supporters say the list protects the integrity of Nevada gaming.

The conversation also highlights current high-profile cases, including bookmaker Matthew Bowyer and longtime excluded figure Frank Citro, both of whom are seeking removal from the Black Book. Their cases raise broader questions about redemption, rehabilitation, and whether lifetime bans should ever be reconsidered.

Along the way, the episode touches on gambling addiction, casino security, mob history, and some of the most unusual cheating methods ever uncovered in Las Vegas.

Rick Velotta bio:

Richard N. “Rick” Velotta has covered business, the gaming industry, tourism, transportation and aviation in Las Vegas for 25 years. A former reporter and editor with the Las Vegas Sun, the Ogden (Utah) Standard-Examiner, the Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff and the Aurora (Colo.) Sun, Velotta is a graduate of Northern Arizona University where he won the school’s top journalism honor.

Rick's articles in the RJ. https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/changes-could-be-made-to-nevadas-black-book-this-week-3791013/

https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/illegal-bookmaker-nix-added-to-nevadas-black-book-3712421/

https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/theyve-got-me-over-a-barrel-convicted-gambler-says-he-was-a-fall-guy-for-non-complying-casinos-3709482/

https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/gaming-commission-to-consider-removal-of-man-from-black-book-3612194/

https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/it-wasnt-oceans-11-but-these-cheaters-took-1-2m-from-bellagio-and-landed-in-black-book-3421576/

Vegas Crime Files is recorded and produced in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Host Heidi Harris is a 28 year award-winning broadcaster, born and raised in Vegas. Member, Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

Follow us on all the socials: Vegas Crime Files and VegasCrimeFiles.com

On Valentine’s Day 1996, a 19-year-old pregnant newlywed sat inside a Las Vegas convenience store, keeping her husband company during his overnight shift.

She never made it home.

In this episode of Vegas Crime Files, Heidi Harris speaks with the first officer on the scene and the lead homicide detective who worked the case—two men who never forgot what they saw that night.

You’ll hear:

• What the first responding officer encountered walking into the store
• The haunting moments inside UMC as doctors fought to save both mother and baby
• How two suspects, disguised as women, carried out the robbery
• Why the case took years to resolve
• And how fear kept key witnesses from testifying

This is a story about violence, loss—and the lasting impact on everyone who was there.

https://lasvegassun.com/news/1996/feb/22/where-i-stand-go-shopping-to-buy-not-die/

https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/homicides/men-arrested-in-1996-killing-were-identified-by-girlfriend-at-the-time-2103748/

https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/homicides/pregnant-womans-killing-haunts-family-24-years-later-2164032/

Everyone remembers the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles.

Almost no one knows what happened next.

Fright Night: The 30 Days of Riots Las Vegas Doesn’t Talk About

What this episode covers:

• The overlooked Las Vegas riots following the Rodney King verdict
• Why the unrest lasted 30 days, not just one night
• The role of gangs, media, and delayed response
• How close rioters came to downtown Las Vegas
• Firsthand accounts from officers under fire
• Lessons learned that changed policing going forward

👤 Guests:

• Lt. Governor Stavros Anthony – Nevada Lieutenant Governor, former Metro Police Captain, author of Knights of Fire
• David Radcliffe – Metro officer on the front lines
• Eddie Kravetz – Metro sergeant, community policing specialist
• David Sheppard – Former FBI agent, brought armored vehicle support

🔥 Key moments:

• Rioters stopped just short of Fremont Street
• Officers taking sustained gunfire
• Firefighters targeted while responding to fires
• Gangs coordinating attacks
• Armored vehicle deployed under fire

📚 Mentioned:

• Knights of Fire by Stavros Anthony

📣 Connect:

• Email: Heidi@VegasCrimeFiles.com
• Follow & subscribe: Vegas Crime Files

For nearly 30 days, Las Vegas descended into chaos—fires, ambushes, and more than a thousand rounds fired at police, firefighters, and civilians.

In this special episode of Vegas Crime Files, Heidi Harris sits down with Nevada Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony—who documented the events—and three officers who were on the front lines.

They describe:

• The night hundreds of rioters marched toward downtown
• The moment officers made a stand just blocks from Fremont Street
• What it was like taking gunfire from all directions
• How gangs that normally fought each other joined forces
• And why the situation spiraled before it was finally shut down

This isn’t history from a textbook—it’s firsthand from the people who lived it.

A major chapter of Las Vegas history… that most people never even knew happened.